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Delaware's brief moment in the sun

By CHARLES MAHTESIAN

09/08/2012 12:57 PM EDT

Reliably blue and with a mere 3 electoral votes, Delaware is accustomed to being an afterthought in presidential politics.

But Joe Biden’s vice presidency is a source of great pride, and Delaware Democrats continue to bask in the afterglow of a convention in which the delegation sat on the convention floor in front of the stage and its top officials had notable speaking roles.

John Carney, the state’s at-large congressman, captured the moment in an email to supporters.

Dear Friend,

I flew back from Charlotte yesterday and wanted to write to tell you about my week at the Democratic National Convention.

The convention was fantastic. President Obama, President Clinton, Michelle Obama, Senator Kerry, and so many others laid out the clear choice that voters face in this election. My friend Beau officially nominated Delaware’s favorite son, Joe Biden, to serve another four years as our Vice President. Joe told us about President Obama's gutsy calls during the last four years and how the President makes every decision with an eye toward how it will affect people's lives — not his own poll numbers. Governor Markell gave a rousing speech in support of the President. His campaign manager, Sean Barney, who served and was wounded in Iraq, was featured on stage during a touching tribute to America's veterans on Thursday evening.

Now that the Democratic convention is over, however, it’s back to reality. The only taste of presidential politics the state is likely to get in the homestretch is if Pennsylvania suddenly heats up and Wilmington sees the ads on Philadelphia TV.